Staff Reporter:
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said that expatriate Bangladeshis had played a direct and significant role in the July Uprising.
“Every expatriate Bangladeshi was involved in the July Uprising, some directly, some indirectly, and some were even at the forefront of the movement,” he said.
Khasru made the remarks while addressing the fourth dialogue of Tarunner Rashtra Chinta titled “Expat-riate Life, Employment, Present and Future” as the Chief Guest.
The event, organized by the Arpon Alok Foundation, was held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in the capital’s Kakrail area.
The Foundation’s Chairperson, Bithika Binte Hossain, conducted the programme.
Referring to the suspension of remittance transfers during the July Uprising, Khasru said, “At one stage of the movement, many expatriates stopped sending money home. That’s when we realized the depth of their concern and involvement with the country’s affairs.”
He underscored the importance of ensuring political, social, and economic rights for expatriate Bangla-deshis, terming them “remittance warriors” who are vital to the nation’s economy.
“Remittance is one of the main pillars of Bangladesh’s economy, but we must evaluate how much recog-nition and value we give to those who sustain it,” he said.
Highlighting BNP’s future plans for employment generation and inclusive growth, Khasru said, “We will introduce a creative economic system in Bangladesh-an economy where every sector, from small enter-prises to large industries, will contribute.”
He said every segment of society must be connected to the country’s economic development.
“That is why our slogan is ‘Democratization of the Economy.’ Just democratizing politics and restoring voting rights is not enough. The economy itself must serve everyone, not a privileged few,” he said.
Khasru added, “The benefits of economic progress must reach every citizen. The BNP is committed to ensuring that the nation’s wealth and opportunities are shared by all.”
